LED Taillights and turn signals

[hotrodalley]

OK, I am feeling really stupid. As one of my friends told me, I have totally annihilated my moral compass and decided to install red LED tail lights for safety as there are just too many crazy drivers out there these days.

I purchased the complete 12v setup from Brattons and there are really no installation instructions (see pic). I was hoping to be able to simply run my turn signals from these lights but .......

I removed my signal stat because it looked too clunky, and duplicated an original accessory turn signal switch with a 3 position switch. I have no problem making them work if I want to run a dual filament (1157) bulb, however, the LED's I got seem to be a single filament (1156) socket. I am not sure if there is an easy way to make this work without adding diodes into the circuits to eliminate back feed which makes both taillights light when either run signal is turned on.

Thanks for any advice on the lights, or my moral compass

[MikeK]

OK, there's a fix, but it is a compromise. Your old SignalStat had seven wires because it was much more complicated than the single pole double throw switch you now want to use!

You need a trailer tail light adapter. It's basically a relay package that does what the SignalStat did. They only come in 12V and cost about $25.
The green wires from the back of your new tail lamp assemblies go to the "To Trailer" outputs on this device and the black wires from the rear of your new tail assemblies go to your light switch feed.

You can get this one HERE as well as several other places.

[wensum]

I'm not sure if I've got the problem sussed but I found that the standard direction indicator unit will not work with LED bulbs.
It was suggested that a 6.8ohm resistor would do the trick and I duly purchased one which made no difference.
Then I found a motorcycle flasher unit 6 or 12 volt that operates LEDs and also has a built in buzzer.
This appears to be the answer to all my problems but has yet to arrive so I can't guarantee that it works.
Check out: "LED Flasher Relay Beeper Motorcycle Bike Turn Signal Blinker" on EBay
Keith

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by wensum

I'm not sure if I've got the problem sussed but I found that the standard direction indicator unit will not work with LED bulbs.
It was suggested that a 6.8ohm resistor would do the trick and I duly purchased one which made no difference.
Then I found a motorcycle flasher unit 6 or 12 volt that operates LEDs and also has a built in buzzer.
This appears to be the answer to all my problems but has yet to arrive so I can't guarantee that it works.
Check out: "LED Flasher Relay Beeper Motorcycle Bike Turn Signal Blinker" on EBay
Keith

Just install higher wattage or candle power bulbs in the fronts [or cowls] and your thermal flasher will work.

[J Witt]

I used a 25 watt 6.2 ohm resistor in series with each turn signal wire pair (pair = one front and one back LED) These were tie wrapped to a small aluminum plate and tucked into the left side kick panel.

The resistors came from the local auto supply. The auto parts stores are carrying the resistors these days because of the craze for switching car turn/brake lights over to LEDs.

John

[Jwilli]

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I put LED on the rear and regular bulbs on the front. 6 volt system on my 30 Murray fordor. Works great has never had a problem.